Intertidal Ecology

About this book

Textbook on rocky, sandy and muddy shores worldwide. Contents: the intertidal environment; patterns of distribution; causes of zonation; community structure; adaptations to intertidal life; consequences of biological interactions; community assembly; meiofauna; estuaries; the shore as a system; the shore as a model; investigating the shore.

Contents

The shore environment: major gradients: four major environmental gradients; interactions between gradients; modifying factors. Patterns of distribution: universal zonation schemes for rocky shores; rocky shore zonation in different parts of the world; distribution patterns on other shore types; the meiofauna; macrophytes on sheltered shores; zonation along the estuarine gradient; overview. Causes of zonation: vertical zonation. Zonation along other shore gradients; Community dynamics: rocky shores; sediment shores; community succession; overview. Coping with the physical and biological environment: finding a place to live; coping with the vertical and horizontal gradients on rocky shores; coping with life on sandy shores; coping by modifying behaviour; dealing with other organisms; associations, mutualisms and symbioses; overview. The shore as a system: the oceanographic context; the flow of material and energy in shore systems; links between the shore and other systems; energy flow and functional interactions on shores. Human impacts on the shore: collecting marine plants and animals for food, bait and curios; chronic pollution; acute impact on shores; introduction of new species; coastal zone change; sea level rise; overview. Studying shores: describing the shore; general methods for use on both rocky and sandy shores; methods applicable to sediment shores; long term studies; field experiments; overview.

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